Beet topper



Patented Oct. 23, 1934 UNITED-STATES PATENT OFFICE 1311er TOPPER Robert Oral Hatch, Ogdenpltah Appli-matita octber 28, 1932, seran No. 640,060

soiaims. (c1. 14e-85)` Y This invention is a novel improvement in vegetable toppers adapted for cutting the greens from sugar beets and the like, and particularly useful Vfor topping sugar beets in taking tare to determine `the net weight of the beets, although the device may be similarly used for topping other products or produce such as onions, corn, etc. The principal object of the invention is to provide a` lsimple, novel, and efficient topper having a funnel-shaped opening into which the beet or other Vprodlll'ris inserted and held by hand at the proper position the funnel-shaped opening permitting the beet to be held in properly adjusted angularity with respect to the knife blade which is disposed at the smaller end of the funnel opening, whereby all portions of the surface of the crown ofthe beet may be trimmed completely of all small leaves and leaf stems without wasting any portion of the beet proper as would be the case if no angular adjustment of the beet were permitted.

A further object is to provide a sharp projecting lip within the funnel opening adjacent the knife blade adapted to dig into the beet or other product and maintain same in position with respect to the knife blade upon the downward stroke of the blade thereby offsetting any tendency of the beet to recede in the funnel opening as the knife blade descends.

Other minor objects of the invention will be hereinafter set forth.

I will explain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawing which illustrates one practical embodiment thereof to enable others to adopt and use the same; and will summarize in the claims the novel features of construction, and novel combinations of parts, for which protection is desired.

In said drawing:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of my novel beet topper.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2 2, Fig. 1 showing a beet disposed in the opening in position for being topped and showing the projecting lip entering the beet for maintaining the beet against the knife blade. f

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the beet topper mounted upon a table, and looking at vthe knife end.

Fig.`4 is a plan View of the knife blade, detached.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5 5, Fig. 4.

As shown in the drawing, my novel beet topper preferably comprises a base 1 of Ushaped crosssection, the legs la of the base preferably increas- 4 ing in height from one end to the other and mergbar.

ing into and supporting on a` horizontal axis an integral funnel-shaped portion 2 the smaller open vend 2b Aof 4which is ofsuflicient diameter to re,- ceive `the `crown surface `of the largest size beets inserted thereinto through the `open larger end. The funnel 2 has a flange 2c` at its smaller end merginginto and forming a continuation ,of the adjacent leg 1a of base 41. 4

Hingedly mounted at Bazupon flange 2a at one side of the opening 2b is a knife blade 3 of greater length than the diameter of flange 2a so as to project beyond said flange, the knife having a handle portion 3b. Mountedupon the flange 2a above and below the opening 2b are stops 4a and 4b respectively connected by bars 5a and 5b, the stops 4a and 4b of substantially the same thickness as the knife blade 3, and the bars 5a and 5b forming guides to hold the blade 3 against the face of the flange 2a as in Fig. 2. On the lower stop 4b at one end thereof is an upwardly projecting portion 4c forming a check adapted to engage the lower edge of the knife when the latter is in the lowermost position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 and prevent the cutting portion of the knife from contacting with the edge of stop 4b and consequently preventing the knife from being dulled by contact with the metal stop.

Within thevfunnel 2 adjacent the lower edge of the opening 2b is a projecting lip 2c (Figs. 2 and 3) adapted to dig into the beet B when positioned in the funnel opening as in Fig. 2 and prevent the beet from receding out of the funnel 2 when the knife blade 3 is descending to top the beet, thereby insuring that the small leaves and leaf stems will be severed from the crown surface of the beet without the operator having to forcibly hold the beet in correct posil tion in the funnel opening. l

As shown in Fig. 3 the base 1 may be mounted upon a bench or table T and preferably a metallic bar 6 is inserted between the base 1 and the table T, the bar 6 carrying studs 6a and 6b adapted to pass upwardly through registering holes in the base 1 and having wing nuts 6c on their upper ends to secure the base to the Bar 6 is preferably of greater length than the base 1 and a bolt '7 transxes the outer end of the bar 6 and the table top, and a bolt 8 at the opposite end of bar 6 transnxes the table top, bar 6, and base l and is provided with a wing nut 8a. The bar 6 however may be omitted and the base 1 secured directly to the table top.

The knife blade 3 has a ground portion 3c in its lower edge; the portion 3c of suicient length to embrace the funnel opening 2b, said ground portion being beveled towards the ange 2a as shown in Fig. 2. The remaining portion of the lower edge of the knife blade may be unsharpened, and when the portion 3c of the blade becomes dull the blade may be readily removed from its pivot 3a and the portion 3c re-ground and the bl-ade again inserted into the topper.

1. A Vegetable topper comprising a funnelshaped holder adapted to receive a Vegetable inserted therein in various angularly adjusted positions; a knife mounted for movement across the smaller end of the holder; and means in the holder spaced from the smaller end for preventing the vegetable from retracting from the knife as the latter is actuated.

2. In a topper as set forth in claim l, said preventing means comprising a projecting lip in the holder adjacent the knife adapted to penetrate into the Vegetable.

3. A vegetable topper comprising a funnelshaped holder adapted to receive a vegetable inserted therein in various angularly adjusted positions; an exterior ilange at the smaller end of the holder; a knife mounted on said flange for movement across the opening in the holder; and means in the holder spaced from the smaller end for preventing the Vegetable from retracting from the lmife as the latter is actuated.

4. In a topper as set forth in claim 3, said knife having a cutting edge embracing the opening in the holder; and a stop for the knife having a projecting lug engaging the edge of the knife beyond the cutting edge.

5. In a topper as set forth in claim 3, said preventing means comprising a projecting lip in the holder adjacent the knife adapted to penetrate into the vegetable.

6. A vegetable topper comprising a funnelshaped holder open at both ends adapted to receive a vegetable inserted therein in various angularly adjusted positions; means for mounting said holder on a support; an exterior flange at the smaller end of the holder; a knife pivotally mounted on said flange for movement across the opening in the holder; stops for the knife at opposite sides of the opening; bars connecting the stops and slidably engaging the knife for holding the knife against the flanges; and means in the holder spaced from the smaller end for preventing the vegetable from retracting from the knife as the latter is actuated.

' 7. In a topper as set forth in claim 6, said knife having a cutting edge embracing the opening in the holder, and one stop having a projecting lug engaging the edge of the knife beyond the cutting edge.

8. In a topper as set forth in claim 6, said preventing means comprising a. projecting lip in the holder adjacent the knige adapted to penetrate into the Vegetable.

ROBERT ORAL HATCH.

Cgi 

